Convicted Felon Tased, Arrested by Casper Cops for Car, Gun Theft

Casper police officers early Thursday morning had to use a taser to apprehend a convicted felon suspected of stealing a car and a handgun.

Chad Thomas Mulloy, 34, was booked into jail on recommended charges of aggravated burglary, larceny and interference. He will likely make his initial appearance in Natrona County Circuit Court at 2 p.m. Thursday.

According to a police affidavit, a Ridley's employee reported his vehicle stolen shortly after 3 a.m. Thursday. The man said his 1998 Buick had been stolen while he was working the late shift.

He told police that a Cobra 380 handgun with five rounds was in the center console, along with a number of prescription medications. A laptop was in the front seat. The victim proceeded to describe the vehicle to a responding officer.

Shortly thereafter, dispatch advised the officer that the stolen vehicle had possibly been located at the Bubbles R Us laundromat in Evansville. The vehicle was unoccupied.

Two officers went into the laundromat and asked whether anyone inside owned the Buick which was parked out front. Three people pointed to their own vehicles, while Mulloy tried to unplug his cell phone and leave.

Police say that Mulloy didn't listen to officers' commands to show his hands and stop reaching into his waistband. One officer saw a gun holster on Mulloy's hip, and Mulloy said that it was a belt buckle.

When officers tried to handcuff Mulloy, he ran away.

One officer used his taser on Mulloy, causing him to fall and allowing officers to handcuff him. A quick search of Mulloy's person allegedly turned up a Cobra 380 handgun with five rounds in the magazine.

Mulloy told police that he only took the gun and the keys to the Buick. He said the vehicle had been parked at the laundromat when he arrived.

"Who leaves their vehicle unlocked and their gun on the seat if they don't want it taken?" Mulloy allegedly asked. He told the officers that he ran because he was afraid of police and didn't want to get into trouble.

A background check for Mulloy reportedly revealed that he is a convicted felon, and therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm.